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Category Archives: DIY Guests

I hope you are all doing well. Today I have a DIY Fabric Flower from Harry Let who resides in Ghana. I remember my heart feeling overwhelmed with joy when I received her message and photos via Facebook. I actually teared up. Really, I couldn’t believe someone far across the world had viewed my tutorial and created something from it. She even took the time to share it with me. O how I LOVE my work!

As you may know, I love to ask what inspires my DIY Guests to create. Feel free to read Harry Let’s answers on why she created the Fabric Flower:

What inspired you to create the Fabric flower and what was the occasion? I needed a hat to match my dress for a friend’s wedding but couldn’t find a flower which matched my dress color. So I went on youtube to find out how I could make a flower from the fabric I used for the dress

How long did it take you?I had more time because my brother helped me cut the patterns and i sewed them together the next day.

What are the pros and cons of creating the fabric flower? PROS: It’s Easy to make and you can make as many as you want to match a particular dress. CONS: The edges are not smooth which i think depends on the kind of fabric you choose.

What was the easiest part of creating and what was the most challenging? Sewing them together was the easiest part. Cutting the fabric patterns was difficult for me that was why I made my brother do it.

Thank you Harry for taking the time to answer my questions and I am truly grateful that you shared your creation with me.

If you would like to create my Fabric Flower, please see the tutorial below (new version):

I wanted to share Cynthia Alsop’s DIY Birdcage Veil she created using my tutorial. Isn’t her work stunning?! She is a makeup artist from Fredericksburg, VA. Thank you Cynthia for sharing your creativity with us. I love asking my DIY Guests questions on what inspired them so feel free to read Cynthia’s answers below. Also, make sure to check out her talent on IG @cynthia.alsop

1) What inspired you to DIY? The thought came when a photographer and I decided we wanted to do a photoshoot to showcase the beauty of our community for weddings. We specifically wanted to highlight that couples in our area could still plan a dream wedding right here in Fredericksburg, VA for less than $200. Of course, I knew in order to make that happen, I would be diying a few aspects of the shoot. I decided I wanted a vintage yet elegant theme and started making a list of the elements to include. Veils were at the top but when I started pricing them for purchase I was shocked at some of the prices I was quoted or had seen. That’s when I knew, I wanted to create my own veil.

2) How did you find my tutorial? I found your tutorial via YouTube and Pinterest. When I started, I didn’t know exactly what type of veil I was looking for. I knew it existed but just couldn’t pinpoint the exact name of it. I started by typing in the term “veils” into Google and it became a rabbit hole situation after that. I saw so many photos from your videos on Pinterest coupled with the term “diy veils”. So naturally I clicked on all the photos and it took me to your videos. When I found your channel, I was amazed with the number of tutorials you had. I can say I binge watched them for a day straight trying to generate ideas. Eventually, I figured out what I wanted and it was called a bird cage veil.

3) What was the easiest part of creating the Birdcage veil, what was the most challenging part? I found that the easiest part of the whole process was how you explained the construction of the veil. Your videos made me feel comfortable enough that I could recreate one on my own.

The most challenging part for me actually was finding the materials. You did a great job listing the materials for the project at the start of each video. I saved a photo of the supply list and took it to my local sewing supply store but didn’t have much luck in the beginning. Russian (or missionary) netting is hard to find where I live especially when I needed the veil for a shoot that was scheduled to occur in less than a week.

4) Was it rewarding? I’ve always felt that making something on my own was so much more rewarding than purchasing it from a store. It’s why it was important to me to try and source the materials myself. I found some lovely birdcage veils on Etsy but knew I could make them at a cost that was more affordable and inline with our photoshoot theme. In fact, with coupons for the supplies, I was able to make 4 veils for the cost of one veil that I saw online.

5) Feel free to add any comments or suggestions. Since my June shoot, I’ve subscribed to your YT channel and started following you on IG. I love sharing your page with my brides when we’re collaborating on a look for her wedding day. Of course, it’s always great seeing what you’re up to in the wedding industy. After watching all your YT vids, you’re definitely a source I go to for bridal inspiration.

Thank you Cynthia for taking the time to answer my questions and I truly appreciate you sharing your work. Your words are very encouraging for me:)

It was an exciting weekend for Brides, Grooms, and vendors. Couples got to explore their wedding options as Vendors got to share their passions. As a vendor at the Dream Weddings Bridal Show, I was excited to launch the LUXE DIY Veil Kit. The kit includes all the high quality items needed to make your very own veil. I showed Brides up to 9 different veil styles created from one veil kit. I am happy to announce the launch was well received and a success. To view more photos, click here.

For $39.99, the LUXE DIY Veil Kit includes everything you will need to create your very own veil and you will have exclusive access to the step-by-step video tutorial. Watch the promo video and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

What inspired me to create the kit? There are many little life lessons that came together in this kit.

First, it was inspired by my Lace Trim Veil. Like the Lace Trim Veil tutorial, I wanted Brides to have more than one option to design the veil. The Lace Trim Veil came with 3 options to design but the LUXE DIY Veil Kit came with up to 9 design options. The Kit gives you a basis to the design and you can go further by embellishing the veil yourself. With your imagination, it is possible to come up with more designs.

Second, When I taught classes on how to create my Camryn Flower, I realized many students did not know where to purchase each of the items so I would help them shop for supplies right before class. Many wanted to skip the shopping if there was an option and go straight into creating. This inspired the “KIT” idea.

Finally, most Brides I worked with was on a budget. If Brides could create a quality veil themselves, they would save money. As a designer, I understand the cost of time & labor and have the most respect for a Designer’s time and talent. But what if I can teach a Bride how to create her own veil with an easy step-by-step tutorial? She would be able to save money and use her savings toward other areas of her wedding.

All these ideas came together to create the LUXE DIY Veil Kit. Thank you for visiting and I hope you get inspired to create something EXTRAordinary.

As the season of First Communion celebrations come to an end, I just want to thank my DIY Guest, Tina Scarlatella, for sharing her First Communion designs with me. I get so excited when someone understands the concept as to why I create my video tutorials. When Tina mentioned she didn’t create the exact same veil as the one in my tutorial but was inspired by it, I was super excited. Yes, That is the point! I just want people to get inspired and start creating, not necessarily make a duplicate of what I created. I had to invite her to share her work and I hope it will inspire you.

Ella

Q) What inspired you to create your daughter’s mantilla veil and dress? TINA: Joy, Love, and Hope. I receive so much JOY from seeing my children’s face when they wear things I make for them. They are still at the age where they get excited and they don’t mind being measured, poked, and pinned. Even my son! I also love how they show off my creations to anyone who would look and listen to them.

I want them to FEEL my LOVE for them. Ella has thanked me for taking time to make her veil and dress. She has seen me work long hours and even heard me poke my fingers a couple of times. I truly hope my kids will understand how much love I have for them while making these one of a kind outfits for them. I put so much of myself into these creations (literally sweat and blood sometimes). I try to make sure each child feels special and loved.

I PRAYERFULLY HOPE that my children will cherish all of these memories that we spend together. I hope they will see this as one example of how a mother shows love to her children. ( I remember wearing clothes that my mom made me and how I know I was loved).

Q) How far in advance did you start to ensure you will be complete by your daughter’s First Communion Date? When is her First Communion Date? TINA: I started working on the veil and dress on April 18th about 1 month before the First Communion Date of May 15th. I am a procrastinator or should I say “creatively inspired when deadlines are near”. I am happy to say that I am finished with both veil and dress ahead of schedule!

I was pretty surprised that I finished the veil in 1 night (about 3 hours) even with me hand sewing 52 bead to the veil it didn’t take as long as I thought it would. Dress took about 2 weekends to work on.

Q) What were the pros and cons of creating the veil yourself? TINA: I always knew that I wanted to make Ella’s veil and dress and was so happy to see that you had made a tutorial. Like you had read my mind! I followed your tutorial 95% – I could not pin the lace around the circle so I ended up making the trim a circle first and then pin it on to a square piece of tulle. I cut the tulle into the shape of the circle afterwards. I wish I had chosen a softer lace – but I loved the lace trim that I found for the veil. It doesn’t lay as well but I still think it’s perfect.

I’m still learning different techniques so the dress isn’t perfect – the bottom part is actually off centered. Eek! I love how I get to include mine and Ella’s personality into the veil and dress. Luckily we both love pink and sparkly things. So I add touches of pink to both veil and dress. I even personalized her dress with her name. What makes Ella’s dress even more special is that the materials are from my sisters wedding dress (one of her wedding dress I should say).

It’s probably more expensive for me to make Ella’s veil and dress but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Thanks for encouraging me every step of the way. It helped tremendously.

Tina also upstyled Erin’s First Communion Gown

She did a wonderful job don’t you agree? Great job Tina! Thank you so much for sharing your unique creations.

Back view of Tina’s creations

Here is my tutorial that inspired her:

Congratulations to all the children who received their First Communion! Thank you for viewing the post and have a wonderful day:)

My best friend Cathy was right when she stated that last month was “May Madness.” There were so many events to attend and plenty of reasons to celebrate. Congratulations to all those who got married, graduated and received their First Communions;)

I have a guest DIY Bride today, Krystal Longnecker from Pomona, New Jersey, who got married on April 25, 2015. She is a resourceful DIY Bride who created many of her own wedding decor & accessories. After watching my tutorial on “How to make the Wedding Veil with Lace Trim” tutorial, she was even inspired to create her own lace wedding veil. She put in the order for the DIY Lace Trim and created a special heirloom for her daughters. She sent a beautiful message to me that I just had to share:

“I had so many people say how lovely my veil was but when they heard I made it myself after seeing your youtube video (you made it look so easy) they were in shock! I can not thank you enough for giving me the wisdom, confidence, and affordable pricing for the material to make an heirloom for my girls to use on their special day, and pass on to their little ladies on theirs! You truly are a blessing”

Krystal, thank you for your kind words and may your beautiful veil made with love be passed on through many generations!

Photo courtesy of Krystal Longnecker

I asked Krystal a few questions to find out about her DIY journey and got the opportunity to hear about her unconditional and unconventional love story. Feel free to read…

Q) What inspired you to create your own lace wedding veil?KRYSTAL: Since I have 2 daughters of my own and am raising my 2 neices I wanted something I could pass on to them. Also, I couldn’t come to terms with spending $250 on a Mantilla veil that had no love, passion and finger pricking pain in it! 🙂

Q) How far in advance did you start to insure that you will be complete the veil by your wedding date? KRYSTAL: I started the day I got my veil kit February 11, 2015. I finished the day before my wedding April 24th, 2015. The only reason my veil took as long to finish is because I put it aside for about a month as I made my wedding album, centerpieces, and programs.

Q) What is your wedding theme/colors? KRYSTAL: Our wedding theme was Rustic and our colors were Mint and Burlap. We really used lots of colors, the pastel color wheel was our inspiration.

Q) How did you meet your husband? KRYSTAL: It’s a funny story actually. I met him in high school when he picked me up to go out on a date with his best friend. A week or so later he picked me up from high school again so I could go out again with his best friend and that’s when he touched my hand and said “You really deserve better than him. I really wish you would go out with me sometime.” My immediate response was “Do you see this?”, as I pointed my finger over me, “You have no chance of ever dating me!” Well I found out a week later my boyfriend was cheating on me. Fast forward 2 years later… I am living at a friends and just found out 2 weeks before I am 19 weeks 6 days pregnant with my ex’s baby. I was on MySpace and up pops a message from Nicholas asking my AIM Username so we could catch up. We talked for a couple days and he asked me out to eat. I responded with, “Listen I am 5 1/2 months pregnant.” He responded, “And? What you don’t like to eat?” All I could think is no boy would date someone because she is pregnant with someone else’s baby…but a man would. We went out for the first time on Easter night 2006 and officially became a couple April 21, 2006. I guess the Lord had different plans than I did in high school and a great sense of humor.

Wow! The groom was very persistent in courting his Bride. He did not let anything stop him from chasing the woman of his dreams. Despite all the challenges, there were 2 beautiful blessings (Krystal’s daughters) and a husband who would do anything for his Bride. I wish you the very best on your journey of marriage.

Below is the lace veil tutorial that inspired Krystal…

If you would like to see more photos from Krystal’s Wedding, you can click {here}.

Today’s gentlemen is Ash Pagelsdorf, 35 who is a huge gamer from Richfield, Wisconsin. He owns Pixels n Prints which specializes in Web & Print Media Marketing. He had shared his photos of the Trinity Knot and the Eldredge knot with his Facebook community — thank you Ash! From our brief correspondence, I can tell he is very enthusiastic about networking and supporting community artists. Of course I love finding out what inspires people, so I asked him a few questions:

YB: What inspired you to attempt the Trinity and Eldredge Knot? AP: I love artsy styles and being unique, why always follow when you can lead

YB: What was the occasion you wore it to? AP: “Rock Be Their Voice” Charity Event. Raise awareness against animal and domestic abuse, and child bullying.

YB: What are your hopes and dreams for yourself? AP: I am working on building a network of artists and businesses. Through this network I want to open a retail store that will help both artists and new business owners be able to connect with each other while they strengthen their own business. This will allow me to hire others and support the community through various programs.

YB: How did you discover my tutorials? AP: I have had ties custom made at wedding parlors and was looking for another place to have a new tie made. I searched for Unique Ties and this is where I started to see interesting tie knots. I saw the Eldridge one first and then the trinity knot. From here I found your youtube channel.

Thank you Ash for kindly answering the questions. Ash is also a Carlson Craft Dealer and can print Wedding Invitations:) If you would like to find out more about what Ash does professionally, feel free to visit his sites at:

Greetings Everyone! Hope you are enjoying life right now. I just got back from a special trip with Mr. T and I am on cloud 9. I would like to share the experience with you one day:)

However today I would like to take the opportunity to thank a gentlemen from Honduras. He wrote a genuinely sincere message of thanks for my tie tutorials. I more often receive emails and messages from women but it is rare to hear from a gentleman. So this week I would like to introduce 2 gentlemen who sent me images of their ties and kind messages. I asked them a few simple questions and wanted to learn about their dreams and aspirations since we all have them regardless of where we live in the world:)

Today is Jayson Magin Rivas Rys from Honduras. Happy Birthday Jayson! Actually Happy Belated Birthday. He just turned 17 years old yesterday November 16. I hope you had a wonderful celebration:)

Jayson is a student in the eleventh grade and during his free time, he likes to play with his dog, watch TV, play video games, and play the drums.

Here are the questions I asked:

YB: What inspired you to attempt the Trinity and Eldredge Knot? JR: I found it very interesting, bold and beautiful.

YB: What was the occasion you wore it to? JR: I wear it sometimes in the church and my father does also.

YB: What are your hopes and dreams for yourself? JR: Growing up I want to be a successful person, a professional, forming a beautiful family. I dream of being a great drummer.

YB: How did you discover my tutorials? JR: One day I was bored of using the same tie knot, then decided to look on youtube. After watching some videos, I found yours, and I like the way you explain.

Thank you Jayson for sharing your tie pictures and sending a kind message. Also, thank you for being a gentleman and answering my questions. I would like to leave this quote with you from my favorite talk show host…